C2 Their first meet

Henry's POV.

“Shit!, I'm late for lectures.”

“What could I be thinking?”

I asked myself rushing through the crowded campus, feeling the tension in my muscles and my heart racing in my chest. The air was warm and sticky, making my uniform stick to my skin.

The smell of coffee and breakfast from the cafe crept into my nostrils as I heard the buzz of laughter and conversations from the other students.

The College is filled with Students walking to and fro. The sky is clear blue, as the sunlight filters through the corners, casting dappled shadows on the ground surface.

A sense of excitement, tempered with the stress and anxiety of impending exams and deadlines fills the entire premises as I frantically yanked the entrance door to my lecture hall- opening it only to be greeted by my Head of Department.

“Fuck!, he's in class already.”

I noticed, declining slowly; giving a calm naive gesture with my face slowly going up and down.

“You're late as usual.” He said, his voice- hard and strong.

“Go get the stacks of pageturners and pamphlets scattered on my table in the staff room.” He ordered, almost demonstrating with his hand.

I was still standing by the door so I quickly revised; running downstairs immediately.

I entered the staff room slowly piled the books together and carried them sluggishly; staggering through the staircase- it was quite heavy but I persisted. Just as I was about to climb the third floor, there was a strong collision between me and a young pretty girl. The books fell off my hand, disintegrating together as they spread around the walkway.

“I'm so sorry, let me help you.” She said, her voice- soft and sweet as she quickly lowered herself, slowly picking up the books. I watched her curly beautiful blonde hair tangling through the cozy air as I pretended to be picking the rest of the books too. She was focused and committed to helping; I was completely swept away by her appearance, her eyes looked charmy as her uniform fit into her lanky banging body.

In a short while, she's done, she stretches her hands to pass me the books. I collected them as I kept them by the resting surface of the stairs.

I reached out to her for a handshake, she reciprocated saying…

“ I'm so sorry about this, I was even about to.”

I didn't let her finish, so I interrupted almost instantly but in a calm collective manner.

“You don't have to apologize,” I said, trying to make her comfortable.

“Besides, it was a mistake, it can happen to anyone, so it's never a big deal,” I explained further.

A warm smile is seen on her face as she tries to leave. I asked her immediately…

“What's your name?......

And your department?…..” rolling my eyes eager to get a response.

“I'm Emmanuella but my friends call me Ella for short.”

She introduced, frequently flirting with her hair like the pretty damsel she was.

“Okay, that's nice.”

“I'm Henry and that's my department on the topmost floor.”

I said demonstrating with my hands.

I noticed her eyes focused on my chest and revealing broad shoulders- as two of my top buttons were left ajar

Finally, before she left I asked her for a favor.

“Can we walk out tomorrow, I mean go to a bar or something.”

She's cold, her face wrinkled a little as she responds casually…

“ I will think about it and let you know.” She concluded.

“Was I too fast to ask her out?” I asked myself or am I already hallucinating? Or in a state of delu- delu;” I whispered to myself.

“I hope she reciprocates this energy,” I said, contemplating my thoughts.

We exchanged contacts as I could feel her eagerness to leave- who knows she's got something more important to do or maybe someone to catch up with.

She left but I still stood staring as I hurriedly carried the books to my H.O..D.

After school that day, I noticed some slight changes in my body system, I could barely sleep, eat, or even think rationally. Everything that rang in my head was to be with Ella.

It's barely just a day we met and this feeling keeps driving me crazy.

I couldn't bear it any longer, so I pulled out my cell phone to give her a call. I was sweating profusely, the phone kept ringing but no response came from her. I decided to send a text but she wasn't online. I reached out to a couple of her course mates but none was ready to disclose the address of her apartment.

I couldn't help it so I dashed out to get something at the nearest supermarket down the next two streets. I was hoping maybe she could call me later concerning what we discussed in school but throughout that day no call came in.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Next day in school, Ella is sighted from afar at the staircase frolicking with another guy.

I felt a strong surge of anger and hurt. My vision- narrowed as I struggled to catch my breath.

My muscles were tense as if I was about to explode.

A sudden rush of adrenaline flows in as my heart pounds in my chest. My eyes focused on every detail of what was happening, taking in every moment- feeling dissatisfied I approached them slowly, almost gonna tear out. She sees me and bursts out into a lioness yelling vehemently.

“I'm not interested, stop wasting your time on me. I'm not going to change my mind for you, so just go away and leave me alone."

She voiced out in a detached and cold tone void of emotions. her body language- conveying a sense of indifference as she tries to avoid eye contact with me; her body- stiff and tense towards me. She walked away; without thinking twice-holding arms with her new lover.

I couldn't hold the tears that dripped down my eyes. I wept bitterly with the pack of gifts I bought for her.

I whispered to myself,

“This strong force wants me to be secluded and rejected until I answer its call.”

I muttered these words; heartbroken-slowly lowering myself to the ground